Ray Kenneth Godsey's Obituary
Ray Kenneth Godsey of Beaverton died September 28, 2012 of cancer. He was 89. Born at Rose Lodge, OR on December 10, 1922 to Miles and Alice Blinn Godsey, he was the youngest of six children.
He is survived by a sister, Melba, a son, Michael Godsey and wife Ann, daughter; Sherry Lynn Bostic, as well as 4 grandchildren and spouses; Farah Bostic, Christopher Godsey Hannah, Nicholas Bostic, Kayla Lewis Bryan and one great-grandson; James Lewis.
He graduated from Willamina High School in 1940, enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and returned to the US in 1946 as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Force Reserves. He received a degree in education from OCE now WOU, and worked as a teacher before becoming Superintendent of Columbia County schools from 1958 until 1981. During his time as an educator - and well into retirement - he helped to ensure access to education for all students, from the disabled, the talented, gifted, and the troubled, to adults and seniors, as well. He was a mentor and friend to many, and dedicated to service and innovation in all that he pursued, including his time as a member of and leader in fraternal service organizations, most recently the St. Helens chapter of the Lions Club.
A lover of technology, he taught himself to use computers, created the website for his chapter of the Lions Club, and volunteered at the Columbia Learning Center teaching seniors and students to use the computer.
An avid golfer and dancer, he and his wife Cleo, whom he married in March of 1946 were, prior to her passing in 2004, a fixture at the Greenwood Inn, where they could be seen tearing up the dance floor and chatting with the band at least once a week.
His endless good humor and boundless energy, his ability to find a friend in every stranger, his genuine love and admiration of his children and grandchildren, and his sharp intellect will be missed by those who had the good fortune to know him.
A celebration of life will be held on October 14, 2012 from 2:30, in his condo Unit #107 at The Village at Forest Glen, 13775 Southwest Scholls Ferry Road Beaverton, OR 97008.
On-line condolences can be made at; www.columbiafh.com or www.raygodsey.com
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